Page 4 - March 2017 Final

Department News...
REHS News
On February 9, 2017, Tom Block from
REHS partnered with Patricia Hastings from
the NJAES Extension Pesticide Safety Edu-
cation Program to present a “Worker Protec-
tion Standard” workshop at the NJ Vegetable
Growers Association convention in Atlantic
City, New Jersey. The Environmental Protection
Agency revised health and safety regulations
for agricultural workers that handle or apply
pesticides, including revisions to respiratory
protection requirements. Tom provided a 40
minute presentation to approximately 30 – 35
attendees reviewing these requirements and
demonstrating how to properly ‘fit test’ workers
with respiratory protection.
For over 30 years, REHS has supported
university farm workers, supervisors, and
researchers at experimental stations, research
farms, and greenhouse facilities by provid-
ing respirator training and fit testing services.
Participation in this convention enables REHS to
assist farmers, cooperative extension agents,
and commerce groups-- not affiliated with the
university--with the information necessary to
protect their workers, protect the environment,
and comply with regulatory requirements.
Dr. Aparupa Sengupta of REHS was recent-
ly the primary author of a published article in
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
pertaining to her research at Michigan Techno-
logical Institute.
Antibiotics are emerging as contaminants
worldwide. Insufficient policy regulations, lack
of public awareness, and the constant exposure
of the environment to antibiotics have created
major environmental, and health concerns in
form of multi antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Titled: “Tetracycline uptake and metabolism
by vetiver grass (Chrysopogon Zizanioides L.
Nash)”. The study focuses on identifying the
biochemical pathways associated with tetracy-
cline (TC) transformation/degradation in vetiver
grass that could be used as a biological rseomurecdesi-.
ation system in TC-contaminated water
Results show that vetiver grass can success-
fully transform TC and its harmful isomers into
compounds that they use for metabolism. Al-
though further investigation is needed, the bio/
phytoremediation technology has the potential
to remediate tetracycline from water systems,
it is comparatively inexpensive and hence could
be used as a long-term solution. A copy of the
article may be found at: http://link.springer.
com/article/10.1007/s11356-016-7688-8 .
4
RUPD SEEKS RE-ACCREDITATION FROM
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
ORGANIZATION
In its continuing effort to enhance its capabilities
and improve service to the university community, the
Rutgers University Police Department is seeking re-ac-
creditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®). The Rutgers Police
Department was first accredited in July 2011. Main-
taining this status is an on-going process and requires
constant monitoring and updating of policies and proce-
dures to assure that the Rutgers University Police meet
the Commission’s standards. Re-accreditation is a for-
mal recognition of the agency’s professional excellence.
The nationally recognized CALEA accreditation
program requires agencies to comply with standards in
four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration,
operations and support services. Of the 17,000 law en-
forcement agencies nationwide, only 778 are CALEA-ac-
credited.
Fifteen law enforcement agencies in New Jersey –
including the State Police – are accredited and only one
other university in the state (the Public Safety Depart-
ment of Rowan University) has achieved this status.
As part of the assessment process, CALEA represen-
tatives visited Rutgers
University-New Bruns-
wick seeking comments
from all members of
the Rutgers community
during a public infor-
mation session held on
Monday, March 27th, The
CALEA assessment team will also review written mate-
rials, interview individuals, and visit offices to evaluate
compliance. Once the assessors complete their review,
they report back to the full commission, which will then
decide if the agency is to be granted re-accredited
status. If awarded, re-accreditation is for three years,
during which the agency must submit annual reports at-
testing continued compliance with the standards under
which it was initially accredited.
Achievement of accreditation demonstrates excel-
lence in the delivery and administration of public safety
services. The benefits of accreditation include: greater
effectiveness and efficiency in providing services to the
university community, augmenting RUPD’s ability to
prevent and control crime, extending cooperation with
other law enforcement entities, and improving staff and
employee confidence in the policies and practices of the
department.